What Feminism Means to Me

Have you noticed how feminism has been a hot button topic lately? From politicians to movie stars everyone has their own take on feminism and unfortunately, it’s all too often negative. Feminism by definition is “the advocacy of women’s rights on the grounds of political, social, and economic equality to men” And based solely on this definition seems like something that everyone should full-heartedly support. What I’ve noticed is that many men find the word feminism to mean “man-hater” or “anti-men” it has taken on a life of its own and has pushed men out of the movement. As Emma Watson so elegantly stated though, “gender equality cannot be achieved without the engagement and participation of men. If men don’t have to be aggressive in order to be accepted, women won’t feel compelled to be submissive. If men don’t have to control, women won’t have to be controlled.” In this she is also implying (and later explaining) that our social stigmas hurt men as well and does not allow them to express themselves or their vulnerability.

Critics often profess that women have it “pretty good” and that compared to years ago we have a lot of rights and respect. But my idea of feminism is a world where women are paid equal to men, women worldwide will not have to face shame for rape, female children will not be married off to the highest bidder, and there is no longer a need for me to write an opinion piece about feminism because gender equality is second nature.